Vital data vtilization system, method, program and recording medium

ABSTRACT

In a vital data utilization system ( 100 ), (i) measurement systems ( 110 ) include a measurement unit ( 111 ) for measuring the vital data of subjects, a clock unit for detecting each measurement time at which vital data is measured and a communication unit ( 112 ) for sending the vital data including measurement time to a server ( 120 ), (ii) a server ( 120 ) includes a communication unit ( 121 ) for receiving pieces of vital data from measurement systems ( 110 ), a vital data storage unit ( 126 ) in which vital data are stored, a value-added information making unit ( 123 ) for making the value-added information indicating the geographical distribution of the vital data or the changes over time of the geographical distributions of the vital data based on vital data stored in the vital data storage unit ( 126 ) and a communication unit ( 121 ) for providing the made value-added information to the measurement systems ( 110 ) and the PCs of service destinations, and (iii) PCs ( 130 ) and mobile phones ( 1200 ) output, by presenting, the provided value-added information to users.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vital data utilization system forprocessing subjects' vital data collected via a communication networkand providing value-added information and a vital data utilizationmethod in the vital data utilization system, and also relates to aprogram for causing a computer to execute main processing in the vitaldata utilization system according to the vital data utilization methodof the present invention and a recording medium in which the program isrecorded.

BACKGROUND ART

Health care supporting systems and services where (i) an individualobtains individual vital data at home in order to utilize them forindividual health care and sends the obtained data to a medical facilityand the like, and (ii) the medical facility and the like processes anddescribes the information so that the individual and/or the client canunderstand the data and sends them to the individual and/or the client.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the information flow in a conventionalhealth care supporting system. In the conventional health caresupporting system like this, as shown in FIG. 1, value-added informationmade of only one subject's vital data is provided to a subject, or acontractor who is a directly interested party of the subject, forexample, his/her guardian, employer or the like. In other words, in theconventional health care supporting system, the focus is placed on that,as soon as abnormality is detected in individual vital data, theabnormality is immediately notified to the subject and/or thecontractor.

The above-mentioned things are described in the Japanese Laid-Openapplication No. 2001-137199 publication.

However, if not only an individual utilizes his/her vital data forhealth care but also information indicating health condition of thewhole society that is made based on subjects' vital data including otherpeople can be utilized, health care supporting systems and services canbecome socially more useful. For example, the epidemic of an infectionsuch as an influenza or food poisoning can be anticipated by judgingfrom the increase in the rate of subjects with a fever. In the casewhere a countermeasure for it is taken early, more effective health carecan be realized. If a public institution or the like takes thiscountermeasure, it is effective for preventing the epidemic frombecoming wide spread.

An object of the present invention is, taking into consideration a newneed like mentioned above, to provide a vital data utilization system,method, program and recording medium that socially contribute more.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vital datautilization system, of the present invention, includes: a server; areceiving apparatus; and measurement instruments, in the system, theserver, the receiving apparatus and the measurement instruments areconnected to each other via a communication network, each of themeasurement instruments has: a vital data measurement unit for measuringvital data of a subject; a clock unit for detecting measurement time atwhich the vital data is measured; and a sending unit for sending, to theserver, a set of information including the measured vital data and themeasurement time, the server has: a receiving unit for receiving, fromthe measurement instruments, sets of information, one of which being theset of information; a storage unit for holding the sets of information;a database making unit for storing the received sets of information intothe storage unit and for making a database; a value-added informationmaking unit for computing the vital data of subjects stored in thedatabase and the respective measurement time in an associated manner andfor making value-added information indicating changes over time of thevital data of subjects; and a value-added information providing unit forproviding the receiving apparatus with the made value-added information,and the receiving apparatus has: an output unit for receiving thevalue-added information provided by the value-added informationproviding unit, for outputting, by presenting, the value-addedinformation.

Therefore, with the present invention, the server apparatus can make thevalue-added information that indicates changes over time of vital databased on sets of vital data that have already been measured inmeasurements instruments and the respectively corresponding measurementtime and provide the value-added information that is made based on thesets of vital data of subjects to the receiving apparatus.

Also, in a first aspect of the present invention, in the vital datautilization system, the sending unit further adds, to respective sets ofinformation, identification information for identifying a correspondingmeasurement instrument or subject and sends the respective sets ofinformation including the identification information to the server, thedatabase making unit makes individual databases where the sets ofinformation for respective measurement instruments or subjects arestored based on the identification information, and the value-addedinformation making unit calculates differential values between the vitaldata included in the sets of information that are stored in theindividual databases and previously-set standard values of the vitaldata, averages the calculated differential values concerning thesubjects who satisfy a predetermined condition in a predetermined timesegment, and makes value-added information indicating changes over timeof average values of the differential values concerning the subjects.

Here, in the case of making a setting by which vital data are sent tothe server apparatus within a fraction of a second from the time therespective vital data are measured, the time when the server receivedvital data may be regarded as the corresponding measurement time. Inthis case, the information on the time is stored in the serverapparatus.

As described up to this point, with the present invention, the serverapparatus placed at the service provider collects vital data of subjectsin real time and makes value-added information showing the change in thehealth status of the whole subjects. Therefore, an individual, a medicalinstitute, a public institute, a company and the like that are theservice destination of value-added information can grasp the occurrenceand status of, for example, an infection (such as an influenza and foodpoisoning) by microbes including a virus substantially in real time byreferring to this value-added information. This produces an effect thatan individual, a medical institute, a public institute, a company andthe like become possible to take countermeasures that are more effectiveand timely for the interest of health care of individuals or the wholesociety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing information flow in a conventional healthcare supporting system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the vital datautilization system of a first embodiment in the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of a toilet apparatus that isan example of the measurement system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the setting example where the measurementinstrument body is set on a bed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of vital data database made by adatabase making unit.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation in the value-addedinformation making processing by each server shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of the value-added information Amade by the value-added information making unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is an example of value-added information B made by thevalue-added information making unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of individual vital data databasemade by the database making unit in a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operation of each unit of the serverin the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a graph showing an example of value-added information A madeby the value-added information making unit in the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of aconventional mobile phone that has a function for measuring vital data.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of data exchange in the vitaldata utilization system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of user information databasethat is stored in the user information storage unit shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of data exchange in thevital data utilization system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing another example of data exchange in thevital data utilization system shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing still another example of data exchange inthe vital data utilization system shown in FIG. 2.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to figures.

First Embodiment

The structure of a vital data utilization system of the presentembodiment will be described first with reference to mainly FIG. 2. FIG.2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the vital data utilizationsystem 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention.

The vital data utilization system 100 is a vital data utilization systemthat makes, in real time, the value-added information indicating thechanges over time or the geographical distribution variations of pluralvital data based on the subjects' vital data received from pluralmeasurement instruments and distributes the made value-added informationto a service destination including the subjects. This vital datautilization system 100 includes a measurement system 110 of 1 to n (n isa natural number) placed at a subjects' home, a server 120 placed at aservice provider side and a personal computer 130 placed at the servicedestination. The measurement system 110, the server 120 and the personalcomputer 130 are connected to each other via a communication network101. This enables the service provider of the vital data utilizationsystem 100 to receive the distribution of the value-added informationupdated in real-time each time the vital data measured in respectivemeasurement systems 110 are received in the server 120.

(1) First, the detailed structure of the measurement system 110 placedat the subject home side will be described.

The measurement system 110 sends the measured vital data of therespective subjects to the server 120 via the communication network 101,and includes a measurement unit 111, a communication unit 112 and anoutput unit 113. The measurement unit 111 is a processing unit that (i)converts, to digital data that can be processed digitally, measurementvalues obtained from vital data measurement instruments, for example, athermometer placed in a home facility such as a toilet and a bed, aurine analyzer, a clock and a blood-pressure meter, and (ii) addsnecessary information to the vital data, in order to make vital dataincluding such information to be sent to the server 120. Morespecifically, the measurement unit 111 adds, to the measurement resultby the respective vital data measurement instruments, respectivemeasurement time, vital data identification codes for identifying thekinds of vital data, subject identification codes for identifying asubject inputted by the subject, and residence position information(residence information) of the subject which is previously recordedinside and make vital data. The communication unit 112 previously storesthe apparatus identification code of the measurement system 110 inside,adds the apparatus identification code to the vital data made by themeasurement unit 111, and sends them to the server 120. The output unit113 outputs the value-added information distributed from the server 120to a printer 114, a monitor 115 and the like that are connectedexternally.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the appearance of a toilet apparatus 200that is an example of how the measurement system 110 shown in FIG. 2 isplaced. The toilet apparatus 200 is composed of a measurement instrumentbody 201 and a toilet bowl 202. In the toilet bowl 202, an electrode padwith a thermosensor 203 for measuring subjects' cardiographs and bodytemperatures is set on the surface of the toilet bowl contacted by thesubjects. Also, inside the toilet bowl 202, a urine and feces takingfunnel 204 that samples subjects' urine and feces by sliding. Themeasurement instrument body 201 includes a finger insertion entrance205, a blood check apparatus 206, a controller 207, and a control unitthat is not shown in figures. The finger insertion entrance 205 is ahole into which a subject inserts his/her finger. Inside the measurementinstrument body 201, a blood-pressure meter, a pulsimeter, a meter ofaccelerated pulse wave velocity and a pulsoxymeter (measurementinstrument of oxygen saturation in blood) are placed in order tomeasure, via the inserted fingers of subjects, blood-pressures, pulses,accelerated pulse wave velocities (the waves showing the increase or thedecrease in blood flow amount inside peripheral systems, oxygensaturations and the like). The meter of accelerated pulse wave velocityis a measurement instrument for measuring variations oftransmitted/scattered light amount by allowing the light to pass throughthe fingers. The blood check apparatus 206 where a lancet for takingblood is placed is attached on the measurement instrument body 201 in adetachable way. The blood check apparatus 206 measures the number ofwhite cells, C-reactive protein and the like from a minute quantity ofblood obtained by user driving the lancet into his/her skin, and sendsthe measurement results to the control unit inside the measurementinstrument body 201 via infrared or wireless communication. In thecontrol unit, the vital data to be sent of the measurement valuesreceived from the respective vital data measurement instruments to beset in a toilet apparatus 200 is made with reference to a table that ispreviously recorded. The controller 207 includes a display unit forletting the subject know input operations, and operation buttons thatreceive subject input operations and the like. Such operation buttonsinclude, for example, a button for identifying one subject in the casewhere plural subjects use one toilet apparatus 200, an operation buttonfor setting the urine and feces taking funnel 204 at an appropriateposition by sliding it. The communication cable 208 is a cable forsending, to the communication network 101, the vital data from thecommunication unit 112 placed at the measurement instrument body 201,and is connected to a telephone circuit and the like.

By using such toilet apparatus 200, the subject inputs his or heridentification information by pressing the button for identifying anindividual that is placed on the controller 207 first, and next, sitsdown on the toilet bowl and urinates or defecates. At that time, varioussets of vital data are measured using vital data measurement instrumentsset on the measurement instrument body 201. The measurement unit 111obtains, for example, individual identification information, measurementtime and the like from the controller 207 and a clock of the measurementinstrument body 201, and obtains measurement values (the bodytemperature and the protein concentration in urine) of the subject fromthe thermometer and the urine analyzer that are placed in the toiletapparatus 200, and makes his/her vital data. The communication unit 112sends, to the server 120, the measurement result (vital data) by themeasurement unit 111 and the position information of the subject'sresidence (residence information). The output unit 113 obtains thevalue-added information made by the server 120 via the communicationunit 112 and outputs it to an external printer 114 or an externalmonitor 115, therefore, the subject can inspect the value-addedinformation printed by the printer 114 or displayed on the monitor 115.

The toilet apparatus 200 structured like this starts measuring vitaldata by detecting a weight put on its toilet bowl at the time when thesubject uses the toilet apparatus. For example, by setting the programof the measurement unit 111 so that it can automatically start measuringat the time of detecting that the user urinates or defecates afterwaking up in the morning, the vital data measurement instrument that isset in the toilet bowl 202 can automatically measure subject's bodytemperature, cardiograph, feces viscosity, protein concentration inurine and the like and send the vital data indicating the measurementresults to the server 120. This produces a merit that (i) measurementsare performed at the time when the subject's vital conditions are stableor at a predetermined measurement time, (ii) the subject is preventedfrom forgetting to perform the measurement, and that (iii) vital datacan be obtained periodically and continuously. Note that themeasurements of vital data in the measurement system 110 may be startedby the subject operating the controller 207 and inputting the indicationof starting individual authentication and measurement.

On the other hand, a thermometer or vital data measurement instrumentsthat measure blood-pressure, pulse, cardiograph or oxygen saturation inblood respectively are effective when measuring such vital dataperiodically and continuously also in the case where they are set besidea bed. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the setting example 300 where themeasurement instrument body 301 is set beside the bed. In the figure,since the same measurement instruments such as the vital datameasurement instrument shown in FIG. 3 have already been described, thesame reference numbers are assigned to them and descriptions on themwill be omitted. A thermometer and a cardiograph 302 are further placedto the measurement instrument body 201 shown in FIG. 3 to become themeasurement instrument body 301. The thermometer and the cardiograph 302are attached to the measurement instrument body 301 in a detachable waylikewise the blood check apparatus 206, and the measurement results aresent to the control unit inside the measurement instrument body 301 viathe infrared or a wireless communication.

(2) Next, the detailed structure of the server 120 in the serviceprovider side that provides the service will be described with referenceto FIG. 2.

The server 120 makes the value-added information from the pluralsubjects' vital data sent from plural measurement systems 110. It isrealized in a computer system, and includes a communication unit 121, adatabase making unit 122, a value-added information making unit 123, acharging unit 124, an incentive calculation unit 125, a vital datastorage unit 126, a user information storage unit 127 and a bus 128. Thecommunication unit 121 receives vital data from the respectivemeasurement systems 110 via the communication network 101, anddistributes, to the respective personal computers 130 and themeasurement systems 110 that are the service destinations, thevalue-added information made by the value-added information making unit123. Note that the personal computers 130 that are the servicedestinations include a communication unit, which is not shown, forreceiving the value-added information, bills and the like from theserver 120, and the personal computers 130 are connected to a monitorfor displaying the received value-added information, bills and the like,and a printer for printing the received value-added information, billsand the like. The database making unit 122 makes the database of vitaldata that change over time and store the database into the vital datastorage unit 126, the vital data being received by the communicationunit 121. The value-added information storage unit 123 makes thevalue-added information A indicating the changes over time of the vitaldata of all the subjects and the value-added information B that is theposition distribution information of the vital data based on theresidence information of all the subjects, based on the vital datadatabase made by the database making unit 122. The charging unit 124calculates the rate charged on the value-added information destinationdepending on the contract coverage for each user stored in the userinformation storage unit 127. The incentive calculation unit 125calculates the points of incentives to the subjects who provided thevital data periodically and continuously. The incentives are, forexample, the rights for receiving the discount rate for such value-addedinformation, or for receiving the discount or trade for a test reagent.Especially, the test reagents and the like used by the measurement unit111 further encourages measurements of vital data, their encouragementeffect is great and thus they are particularly effective. Here, forexample, buffer solutions or antibody solutions that are used in themeasurement by the immunonephelometry are listed as test reagents. Thevital data storage unit 126 is realized by the large capacity storageapparatus such as a hard disc and stores the vital data database made bythe database making unit 122. The user information storage unit 127 isrealized by the large capacity storage unit such as a hard disc, andstores various kinds of tables used for a user information database madeof individual information, contract coverage, charging information andthe like for each user. The data stored in the user information storageunit 127 is sequentially updated by the input operation unit in theserver 120 that is not shown in any figure, the charging unit 124 andthe incentive calculation unit 125. The vital data storage unit 126 andthe user information storage unit 127 are shown as different storageunits in FIG. 2. However, actually, different storage units are notalways needed, respective databases need to be stored in differentstorage region.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing one example of vital data database made bythe database making unit 122. The database making unit 122 stores thereceived vital data (individual information, body temperature, proteinconcentration in urine) of plural subjects, respective measurement timeand residence, and makes the vital data database shown in FIG. 5. Thedatabase format of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 includes articles of(i) subject N (N is a natural number) as the subject ID, (ii) residencepN, (iii) measurement time tN as the time, date, month and year of themeasurement, (iv) body temperature btN, (v) protein concentration inurine upN and the like, and these articles are described like, forexample, (i) subject N, (ii) residence “house number, town, city andprefecture”, measurement time “7:12 Feb. 27, 2003”, body temperature“38.54° C., protein concentration in urine “28 mg/dl”. These sets ofvital data are stored in the vital data storage unit 126 in the order ofmeasurement time.

The respective operations performed in the server 120 structured likementioned above will be described below with reference to FIG. 6, FIG. 7and FIG. 8.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation in the value-addedinformation making processing of the respective units of the server 120shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a graph showing one example of thevalue-added information A made by the value-added information makingunit 123 shown in FIG. 2. FIG.8 is a diagram of one example of thevalue-added information B made by the value-added information makingunit 123 shown in FIG. 2. First, the communication unit 121 in theserver 120 waits for receiving the vital data sent from the measurementsystem 110 (S501). The communication unit 121 sends the received vitaldata to the database making unit 122 upon receiving the vital data fromeach of the 1 to n measurement systems 110. The database making unit 122stores the vital data obtained from the communication unit 121 in thevital data database in the order of measurement time (S502). When thevital data database in the vital data storage unit 126 is updated withnew vital data, the value-added information making unit 123, forexample, calculates the average values of measurement articles of thereceived and stored vital data for each prefecture, city, town orvillage per 12 hours (S503), makes the value-added information A shownin FIG. 7 (S504), and distributes the made value-added information A toa contractor who is the service destination (S505).

The value-added information A of the present invention will be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis showstime passage and the vertical axis shows body temperature and proteinconcentration in urine. Here, as to time passage, respective time in aday at which respective sets of vital data are measured are divided intoAM (0 o'clock to 12 o'clock) or PM (12 o'clock to 24 o'clock). Thevertical axis shows averages of body temperatures and averages ofprotein concentration in urine of k numbers of subjects (k is a naturalnumber and the same person can be counted twice) in the same prefecture,city, town or village for the divided time zone. In the example shown inthe figure, the average value of body temperatures starts increasingfrom the PM of day 23, reaches the peak in the PM of day 24, and startsdecreasing from the AM of day 27. On the other hand, it shows that theaverage value of the protein concentration in urine starts increasingfrom the PM of day 25, reaches the peak in the PM of day 26, and startsdecreasing from the AM of day 27. Viewing FIG. 7 after the PM of day 27shows that a cold or the like has started becoming epidemic from day 23and was settling down on day 27. Also, it shows that average bodytemperature has started increasing at the time when this value-addedinformation (value-added information A based on the vital data up to theAM of day 24) to the value-added information destination. In this way,the value-added information destination can obtain various merits aswill be mentioned below.

First, in the case where the value-added information destination is amedical institute in the area, as it is anticipated that the number ofpatients will increase from today, it is possible to prepare treatmentor eating services accordingly. Also, similar merits can be obtainedalso in the case where the value-added information destination is apublic institute in the area. For example, it is anticipated that thenumber of absentees will increase in the case where the value-addedinformation destination is a school. Also, in the case where thevalue-added information destination is a health center or the like, itis possible to take a countermeasure immediately (in a way ofprevention) according to this. Also, in the case where the value-addedinformation destination is a service business relating to, somehow orother, health statuses of the residents of an area, for example, in thecase of a taxi company, as it is anticipated that the number ofpassengers going to a health institute or the like will increase, it ispossible to use this information in scheduling the dispatch of taxies.Also, for example, in the case where it is a feeding company, it ispossible to anticipate the increase in the demand for menus for patientssuch as rice gruel. In this way, anticipating the change in healthstatus of the whole residents in an area enables providing serviceindustries with great merits. Also, for example, the value-addedinformation destination is a home (including a subject's home), in thecase where it is judged that a disease such as a cold or the like isepidemic, preventive measures can be taken such preventive measureswhich are: putting on a mask as a preventive measure when going out;refraining from going out; and making a child stop going to school.Accordingly, using such information is effective for health care athome. These merits can be realized by making use of this informationcommunication technique of collecting the vital data of the wholesubjects in substantially real time via the communication network 101,processing these sets of information, and distributing these processingresults in real time.

Next, the value-added information making unit 123 calculates the averagevalues of vital data for respective areas that are minutely divided andmakes the value-added information B indicating the geographicaldistribution of the average values of vital data for the respectiveareas (S506). The communication unit 121 distributes the madevalue-added information B to the contractor that is the servicedestination (S507) and then returns to the processing of step S501. Inother words, it waits until it receives next vital data from one of themeasurement systems 110. The value-added information B of the presentinvention will be described in detail below. The value-added informationB shown in FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the geographical distribution ofthe averages of vital data (body temperatures) made based on the vitaldata database in the vital data storage unit 126. In other words, it isa diagram on which vital data A is mapped. More specifically, it is thediagram where the average values of respective sets of vital data forthe respective small areas are calculated and displayed using shading.In FIG. 8, for example, in the case of A area located in the north mostpart, the average value is low (36.33 to 36.34° C.) and even in the area(there is no difference in average values in the area). On the otherhand, in the case of B area and C area, it is known that average valuesare high in the respective centers of the respective areas and thesedistributions are uneven. This enables anticipating that an infection isspreading from these centers of the B area and the C area. Further,comparing the changes overtime of the distribution shown in thevalue-added information B in FIG. 8 enables grasping the trend such asthe movement of the epidemic range of the infection. This is greatlyuseful when a public institute or the like in an area takes variouskinds of measures for such infection.

Note that, the above-mentioned first embodiment shows an example where athermometer and a cardiograph are set on the part such as the toiletbowl of a toilet apparatus 200 that contacts skin in FIG. 3, but thepresent invention is not limited to the example. For example, by settingmeasurement instruments for measuring blood pressure, pulse, oxygensaturation in blood and the like other than the above-mentionedthermometer and the cardiograph on the part such as a toilet bowl thatcontacts skin, it is possible to reduce the labor in measuring thesesets of vital data. This is effective in measuring these vital dataperiodically and continuously. Also, it is possible to set a urineanalyzer for measuring glucose concentration in urine and amino acidconcentration in urine other than protein in urine. Further, measuringfeces viscosity is effective for monitoring an infection such as foodpoisoning. Also, measuring albumin, globulin, hemoglobin and myoglobinas protein in urine is widely applicable because they easily changedepending on daily physical conditions. Here, as a checking method ofprotein in urine, the immunonephelometry is suitable. With theimmunonephelometry, it is possible to specifically detect only aspecific protein or a hormone (separating albumin, globulin, hemoglobinand the like) and measure the concentration of each component. Also, itis easy to make apparatuses for the immunonephelometry smaller because,in the immunonephelometry, it is possible to calculate concentration bymixing urine with antibody solution including an antibody thatspecifically combines with a specific protein or a hormone and byoptically measuring the turbidity of the urine. In this way, a specificprotein or a hormone can be measured by a comparatively small apparatususing the immunonephelometry, and therefore, the method is especiallysuitable for monitoring daily health statuses at home.

Also, as an especially effective vital data in grasping an infection,the number of white blood cells and the concentration of C-reactiveprotein (CPR) are listed. Also, measuring the amount of specificantibody (IgE-RIST) in blood enables knowing the epidemic of pollinosis.

Second Embodiment

In the above first embodiment, the value-added information making unit123 makes the value-added information A and the value-added informationB using the average values of the received sets of vital data. Thissecond embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that value-addedinformation is made using the differences between the respectivemeasurement values and the respectively corresponding standard values ofsuch vital data. The vital data utilization system of this embodimentwill be described below with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. The vitaldata utilization system of the second embodiment differs from the vitaldata utilization system 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 inthat it has a different database making unit 122, a value-addedinformation making unit 123 and a vital data storage unit 126 that arenot shown in any figures. The same structural components as the onesshown in FIG. 2 have already been described and descriptions for themwill be omitted.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing one example of individual vital datadatabase made by the database making unit of the second embodiment. Asshown in the figure, in the individual vital data database made by thedatabase making unit, sets of vital data from the respective subjectsare stored individually, in the order of measurement time. Here,addresses of the respective subjects and the positions where measurementsystems are set that are necessary for making such sets of value-addedinformation are obtained from the user information database made in theuser information storage unit. In the individual vital data database ofthe respective subjects, articles such as measurement time Tk, bodytemperature Btk, body temperature variation ΔBTk, urine proteinconcentration UPk, urine protein concentration variation Δ UPk, fecesviscosity BPk and feces viscosity variation Δ BPk will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the operations of each server of thesecond embodiment. The database making unit of the second embodimentmakes individual vital data database in the vital data storage unitfirst (S801). In the individual database at this stage, the datastructure for storing vital data individually is defined. Thecommunication unit 121 waits for receiving such vital data repeating thejudgment on whether or not vital data is received from one of themeasurement systems 110 (S802). When vital data is received in thecommunication unit 121 in a waiting state, the database making unitupdates the individual vital data database by identifying the subject ofthe received vital data and storing the received vital data in thestorage area for each identified subject (S803). The database makingunit identifies the subject of the vital data by referring to the userinformation stored in the user information storage unit and obtainingthe subject ID from the apparatus identification code attached to thevital data. In this way, past vital data of respective subjects arestored individually. Note that variations of measurement values such asbody temperature, protein concentration in urine and feces viscosityshown in FIG. 9 are not stored, that is, columns for such sets of vitaldata remain blank at this time. The value-added information making unitcalculates the average values of sets of vital data that are respectivemeasurement values of the respective subjects in a specific past periodbased on this individual vital data database (S804). Here, the periodfor calculating past average values of sets of vital data of therespective subjects is, for example, a month during which measurementvalues experience less variation among the vital data stored in thepast. Next, the value-added information making unit calculates thevariation between a present measurement value and the past average valueby calculating the difference between the latest vital data received inthe step S802 and the average value calculated in the step S804 (S805).The value-added information making unit additionally writes thevariations of the respectively calculated measurement values into theindividual vital data databases shown in FIG. 9 and stores them (S806).Further, the value-added information making unit calculates the averagevalues of variations that are stored respectively for N numbers ofpeople in the respective prefectures, cities, towns or villages, andrespectively for a 12-hour duration including the measurement time, andmakes the value-added information A indicating the changes over time ofthe calculated average values (S807). The communication unit 121distributes the made value-added information A to the contractor that isthe service destination of the value-added information A (S808).

FIG. 11 is a graph showing one example of the value-added information Amade by the value-added information making unit of the secondembodiment. In the figure, the horizontal axis shows time and the valuesfor vertical axis show the average values of variations of the bodytemperature and the protein concentration in urine that can be obtainedby taking the average of the subjects' variations from the respectivesubjects' average values. In the case of body temperature, the value isthe average of the subjects' body temperature variations from therespective subjects' average body temperatures. In this way, making useof the differences between the average values of vital data in aspecific past period and the measurement values enables reducing theinfluence of unevenness in the normal values of the respective subjectsand indicating the change in the health status of the whole subjectsmore correctly. For example, in the case where the subjects who have anormal body temperature that is higher than average send his or hervital data (body temperature) at the rate higher than usual, the averagevalue of such subjects' body temperatures seems to be increased.However, it does not indicate a fever caused by an infection or thelike. It is difficult to exclude a misjudgment because of individualdifferences like this using the value-added information A shown in FIG.7, but the value-added information A shown in FIG. 11 produces the meritof enabling reducing the influence caused by the individual differences.

Further, the value-added information making unit calculates, based onthe variations of the respective measurement values stored in theindividual vital data databases, the average value of the variationsthat is stored for N numbers of people in the smaller areas that arefurther divided and for a 12-hour time duration including themeasurement time. Further, it makes the value-added information Bshowing using shading, for example, the geographical distribution of thecalculated averages. The communication unit 121 distributes the madevalue-added information B to the contractor that is the servicedestination (S810). After that it returns to the processing in the stepS802 and waits until the next vital data is received.

As described up to this point, the value-added information making unitof the second embodiment produces the effect that it is possible toreduce the influence of the differences among individuals who are thesubjects and provide the value-added information enabling making a morecorrect judgment to the service destination of the value-addedinformation in addition to the effect by the value-added informationshown in the first embodiment.

Also, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, among the respectivesubjects' vital data stored in the past, the average value obtained in aspecific period during which measurement values are stable iscalculated, and value-added information is made, regarding the averagevalue as a normal value, based on the difference between the normalvalue and the latest measurement value. However, it is possible to makethe value-added information A and B based on the difference between thenormal value and the latest measurement value after registering thenormal values (such as normal body temperatures) of the respectivesubjects in the individual vital data databases.

Further, the period during which the above-mentioned normal values arecalculated may be simply a specific period (such as a month) dating backfrom the present to a specific time (such as a year ago), or the averagevalue obtained in a specific month in each year. In this case, as all ofthe subjects are not always healthy in the calculation periods of normalvalues, the rate of eliminating the individual differences of subjectsdecreases, but it is possible to reduce the processing load of thevalue-added information making unit. Also, it is possible to determinethe normal value for the respective measurement articles such as bodytemperature, protein concentration in urine and feces viscosity. In thiscase, it is impossible to prevent the influence of the individualdifferences of subjects but possible to reduce the processing load ofthe value-added information making unit more.

Note that, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, theaverage values of the respective measurement values per 12 hours areobtained as the value-added information A, but the present invention isnot limited to this. For example, it is possible to calculate theaverage values on a time basis such as one hour or a minute basis in thecase where the number of subjects are many, or it is possible tocalculate the average values on a daily basis such as every day andevery other day in the case where the number of subjects are not somany.

Note that it is described that the value-added information A and thevalue-added information B are distributed to the contractor as soon aseach of them is made in the above-mentioned first and secondembodiments, but it is possible to distribute them to the contractorafter making both of them.

Also, it is described that the average values of vital data arecalculated for respective prefectures, cities, towns or villages towhich subjects' addresses or the setting positions of the measurementsystems 110 belong, and then the value-added information A is made inthe above-mentioned first and second embodiments, but the unit may be ablock number. Also, geographical units specified using zip codes may beused. Further, the areas that are set freely and have an arbitrary sizemay be used as such units.

Also, the area for which the average value of the vital data iscalculated at the time of making the value-added information B may bethe same as the area, which is a geographical unit, for which theaverage value of the vital data is calculated at the time of making thevalue-added information A. For example, the area may be a city, town, orvillage, or a block number. Also, it may be a geographical unitspecified using a zip code, or the area that is set freely and have anarbitrary size.

Note that the value-added information B shows, using shading, thegeographical distribution of the averages of the respective measurementvalues or the averages of the individual variations of the respectivemeasurement values in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments,but such an average values may by shown, for example, in a form ofthree-dimensional bar graph.

Note that it is described in the above-mentioned first and secondembodiments that a measurement is automatically started in themeasurement system 110 when a subject sits down on a toilet bowl, butthe present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is themethod that a subject operates a controller first, and orders the startsof the individual authentication and the check up.

Note that it is described in the above-mentioned first and secondembodiments that the receiving apparatus set at the service destinationis the PC 130, but it may be, for example, a mobile phone and a personaldigital assistant (PDA) on condition that it has a communicationfunction for receiving value-added information, a receipt and the like,and can output these data to an internal or external monitor or printer.

Such a mobile phone that is the receiving apparatus of the presentinvention as mentioned above further has a function for detecting apresent position such as a global positioning system (GPS) and issues awarning when a user moves in those four areas shown in the value-addedinformation B of FIG. 8. Also, a present position may be displayed inthe value-added information B using blinking. As patterns of issuing awarning, for example, the following patterns are conceivable: (i) anotification method notifying the infection level of each area (theepidemic degree of an infection in each area) each time a user entereach of the four areas, such a notification is made in a form of alarmsound, sound information, color display, animation display and the like;(ii) a notification method where stronger warning is issued to a user(in a form of alarm sound, sound information, color display, animationdisplay and the like) each time the user enters the area where theepidemic level of an infection becomes higher than before (for example,the area where the average value of vital data such as body temperaturebecomes higher than before), in addition to this, in contrast, anotification method where a more comfortable notification (such asmelody, effective sound, sound information, color display and animationdisplay) is made to a user each time a user enters the area where theepidemic level of an infection becomes lower than before (the area wherethe average value of vital data such as body temperature becomes lowerthan before); and (iii) a notification method where a stronger warningis issued when a user moves to the direction of the epidemic center ofan infection (the area where the average value of vital data such asbody temperature is the highest) and where a more comfortablenotification is made when the user moves to the direction opposite tothe epidemic center of the infection, each time a present position isdetected at a specific time intervals.

In order to realize the notification methods described above, morespecifically, the user needs to obtain the value-added information B ofFIG. 8 relating to the present position from the service provider first.Next, a mobile phone detects present positions every specific time (forexample, every one minute, every 30 seconds or the like) using GPS orthe like, and checks the detected present positions with thealready-obtained value-added information B (the geographicaldistribution of vital data that is body temperature). This enables themobile phone to identify the area where the user is present among theareas shown in the value-added information B and what the epidemic level(the degree of the average value of vital data that is body temperature)of the area is. In order to perform the notification method shown as(i), the mobile phone previously holds a table that shows notificationtypes for the respective levels, checks the level of an identified areawith the levels in the table, and issues a warning specified for thelevel of the identified area. Also, in order to execute the notificationmethods of (ii) and (iii), the mobile phone stores at least one pair ofthe area identified last and the vital data (body temperature) in thearea. In this way, the mobile phone can judge whether or not the userenters the area closer to the epidemic center of an infection or whetherthe user moves to the direction of the epidemic center of the infectionby comparing the level of the area where the user was present before andthe level of the area to which the user moved. In this way, it ispossible to issue a stronger warning when the user moves to the areawhere the user is more likely to face the danger of infection. Likewise,it is possible to issue a notification to the user in a form of morecomfortable alarm sound or sound information when the user enters thearea where the epidemic level of the infection becomes lower than before(the area where the average value of vital data that is body temperaturebecomes lower) or when the user moves to the direction opposite to theepidemic center of the infection.

Also, the above-mentioned mobile phone that is the receiving apparatusof the present invention has a function as a mobile receiving apparatus,and can further have a function for sending vital data to the server 120by becoming in combination with an existing measurement instrument andan existing communication adapter (such as a Glucocard diabetic metermade by Arkray Inc. and a mobile adapter). Note that the Glucocarddiabetic meter made by Arkray Inc. is an instrument for measuring bloodglucose level, but the measurement instrument of the present inventioncan be used for measuring not blood glucose level but the number ofwhite blood cells, C-reactive protein and the like. FIG. 12 is a diagramshowing one example of the appearance of the mobile measurement system1240 that can have both functions as a measurement instrument and as areceiving apparatus by becoming in combination with an existingmeasurement instrument. The measurement system 1240 roughly includes amobile phone 1200, a communication adapter 1210 and a measurementinstrument 1220 that are detachable from each other. The mobile phone1200 obtains the vital data to be sent to the server 120 from thecommunication adapter 1210 and sends it, receives value-addedinformation from the server 120 and displays it on the monitor of themobile phone 1200. The communication adapter 1210 includes a powersupply button 1211, a connector 1212, a connection cable 1213 and thelike. The power supply button 1211 is for turning on and off the powersupply. The connector 1212 is the connection part for communicating thedata with the mobile phone 1200. The connection cable 1213 is fortransmitting, to the communication adapter 1210, the number of whiteblood cells and C-reactive protein and the like that are the measurementresults by the measurement instrument 1220. The measurement instrument1220 has a blood sensor 1221 and a display unit 1222. Blood 1231 takenthrough the finger 1230 of a subject is used as a sample, and the bloodsensor 1221 measures, for example, the number of white blood cells orC-reactive protein in the sample. The display unit 1222 of themeasurement instrument 1220 displays the number of measured white bloodcells, C-reactive protein and the like. In this way, with the mobilemeasurement system 1240, the user can measure his/her own vital dataoutside and send it to the server 120, and also, the user can receivethe distribution of the value-added information B from the server 120outside and know the epidemic distribution of an infection outside. Inthis way, the user can take countermeasures such as taking care thathe/she does not enter the area where an infection is epidemic whenhis/her physical fitness is not good and seeing a doctor in the hospitalat an early opportunity.

Third Embodiment

The making method of value-added information in the present inventionhas already been described in the above-mentioned first and secondembodiments, and in this third embodiment, an example method forproviding the value-added information in the vital data utilizationsystem of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 2, 13, 14 and 15. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one example ofexchanging data in the vital data utilization system 100 shown in FIG.2. Here is shown an example where respective subjects provide vital datato a service provider, but they do not contract as a service(value-added information) destination for the service provider. In thefigure, a measurement system 110 shown in FIG. 2 is set in therespective subjects' (subjects 1 to N) homes. The vital data measured bythe respective measurement systems 110 are sent to the service providerthat has the server 120. The service provider makes the value-addedinformation in the server 120 based on the vital data received from thesubjects 1 to N, and distributes the made value-added information to theservice destinations (the contractors) such as a medical institute, apublic institute, a company and the like that have a PC 130 or the like.Also, the service provider charges the contractors that are the servicebusinesses and the service destinations of the value-added informationfor the value-added information. The server 120 set at the serviceprovider has a charging unit 124 inside, and the charging unit 124calculates the charging amount on each contractor for the value-addedinformation referring to the user information databases stored in theuser information storage unit 127, and sends a bill to each PC 130 setat each service destination according to the calculation results.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing one example of the user informationdatabase stored in the user information storage unit 127 shown in FIG.2. As shown in the figure, the user information database is made foreach user that is a contractor. In the user information database of eachuser, roughly, individual information on users and the contract coveragespecified between the user and the service provider are described. Morespecifically, for example, the following articles are made for storingindividual information on each user: user's apparatus ID; user's name(or the name of a company or the like in the case where the user is agroup); user's age and sex (in the case where the user is an individual;user's address (the address of a company or the like in the case wherethe user is a group); user's zip code, user's telephone number, user'smail address and the like. The apparatus ID may be a unique ID issued tothe user by the server 120 at the time of contracting, or it may be auniform resource locator (URL). Either of them is used forsending/receiving the value-added information and vital data to/fromeach user.

Also, in the contract coverage described in the user informationdatabase of each user, articles such as contractor type, charging type,period, start, end, point are included. In the article of contractortype, a code indicating the relationship between the user and theservice provider is described. For example, the code indicates that thecontractor is simply a subject, the contractor is simply a servicedestination, or the contractor is a subject and a service destination. Acode shows specific details, for example, it is possible to know thedetails by referring to a table that is not shown in any figure butpreviously stored in the user information storage unit. For example, inthe figure, “2” is described as a code indicating a contract type. Thecontract type code 2 indicates that the user is a subject and a servicedestination. In the article of charging type, code 2 is described. Thecode 2 as the charging type indicates that the user makes the contracton a fixed-rate-per-period basis as a charging type. In the case wherecode 2 is described as the charging type, the articles of period, startand end are described. The length of the period for fixed rate chargingsuch as “6 months” is described in the article of period, the start ofthe period for the fixed rate charging such as “21 May 2003” isdescribed in the article of start, and the end of the period for thefixed rate charging such as “11 Nov. 2003” is described in the articleof end. Also, in the article of point, in the case where the user is acontractor as a subject, the number of points stored for the user as anincentive to date is described.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of exchanging data in thevital data utilization system 100 shown in FIG.2. Here is shown anotherexample where the service destination is a subject. As shown in thefigure, the vital data measured by the respective measurement systems110 in the subjects' (subjects 1 to N) homes are sent to the serviceprovider that has the server 120. The service provider makes theabove-mentioned value-added information in the server 120 based on thevital data received from subjects 1 to N, and distributes the madevalue-added information to the service destination (contractor) that isthe subject. Also, the service provider charges the subjects that arethe service businesses and the service destinations of the value-addedinformation. The server 120 set at the service provider has a chargingunit 124 inside, and the charging unit 124 calculates the chargingamount for each service destination for the value-added informationreferring to each user information database stored in the userinformation storage unit 127, and sends a bill to each measurementsystem 110 set at each subject's home according to the calculationresult.

For example, the charging unit 124 calculates the charging amount for auser that is a service destination by referring to a table (not shown inany figure) where previously-set charging system is described. Asexamples, charging systems include: a measured rate system where ratesare charged depending on the types and amount of provided value-addedinformation; and a fixed rate per period system where fixed rates arecharged depending on the length of the period but irrespective of thetypes and the amount of the provided value-added information. Further,the charging unit 124 manages the start and the end of the period in thecase where the charging system is the fixed-rate-per-period system, anddisables the communication unit 121 to distribute the value-addedinformation to the user before and after the charging period. In thisway described up to this point, with the charging unit 124, it ispossible to charge the contractor that is the service destination forthe value-added information for the distribution of value-addedinformation.

Further, in the present invention, in the case where a subject makes apoint of measuring vital data periodically and continuously and sendingthe vital data that is the measurement results, it becomes possible toenhance the effectiveness of the value-added information more. Aiming atthis, for example, it is possible to provide an incentive for sendingthe vital data to the subject periodically and continuously. FIG. 16 isa diagram showing another example of exchanging data in the vital datautilization system 100 shown in FIG. 2. Here is shown an example wherethe service provider provides each subject with an incentive. Anincentive calculation unit 125 set in the server 120 shown in FIG. 2issues a predetermined number of points to the subject who has senthis/her vital data more than a predetermined times in a certain timezone of a certain period.

The incentive calculation unit 125, manages the rights to be issueddepending on the number of points that are stored after calculatingpoints of the respective subjects with reference to the table that ispreviously stored in the user information storage unit 127. For example,the incentive calculation unit 125 refers to individual vital datadatabases for the respective subjects and provides incentives of (i) 5points to the user who has measured his/her vital data once within therange of one hour over a month and sends the sets of vital data to theserver 120, (ii) 20 points to the user who has measured his/her vitaldata once within the range of one hour over three months and sends thesets of vital data to the server 120, and (iii) 50 points to the userwho has measured his/her vital data once within the range of one hourover six months and sends the sets of vital data to the server 120. Theincentive calculation unit 125 updates articles of points in the userinformation databases based on the statuses of how the respectivesubjects continuously send his/her vital data.

Also, the incentive calculation unit 125 issues a right as mentionedabove when the number of points that are issued and stored for each userexceeds a certain number. In the case where 20 points or more are storedfor each subject, the incentive calculation unit 125 issues a right suchas the right to receive a 10-percent discount from the charge forvalue-added information and the right to receive a 10-percent discountfrom the price of a reagent for a check-up or the like according to eachuser's selection. In the case where a user selects receiving the rightof a discount from the charge, the discount rate is notified to thecharging unit 124. In the case where a user selects receiving the rightof a discount from the price of a test reagent, for example, printingprocessing and the like for issuing a discount ticket and the like usingmail are performed. In this way, in the case where a subject consumeshis/her points by receiving a discount from the charge for value-addedinformation or a discount from the price of a test reagent, theincentive calculation unit 125 subtracts the consumed points from thetotal points stored for the subject and updates the article of point inthe user information database. In this way, the incentive calculationunit 125 calculates the points of the respective subjects based on theperiodicity and the continuity of measuring vital data. This produces aneffect that high-quality vital data can be collected more effectively.

Also, the number of incentive points may be added, for example, based onthe amount of vital data stored in each individual vital data database.In this way, in the case where points are added based on the amount ofstored vital data, points are calculated irrespective of whether or notsets of vital data are measured at a constant time, however, it ispossible to encourage the user to measure his/her vital datacontinuously for a long period and moreover, the effect of reducing thecalculation load of the incentive calculation unit 125 can be obtained.

Note that an example where the service provider provides an incentive tosubjects is shown in FIG. 16, but the service provider may onlycalculate the incentives and the contractor may provide an incentive tothe subjects. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing another example of exchangingdata in the vital data utilization system 100 shown in FIG. 2. Here, theservice (value-added information) destinations by the service providerare the contractors and subjects such as a medical institute, a publicinstitute and a company. In this case, the incentive calculation unit125 calculates the amount corresponding to the issued incentives andnotifies the charging unit 124 of the amount. The charging unit 124distributes the notified amount of rate to the contractors exceptsubjects and adds the amount to the rates. In this case, the servicedestination that is the user side of value-added information givesincentives for collecting higher-quality vital data and receivinghigher-quality value-added information.

Note that a discount from the rate for value-added information, adiscount from the price of a test reagent or the like that is used inthe measurement unit 111, a right to receive exchange and the like arelisted as an incentive in the above-mentioned embodiment, but other thanthat, it may be a right to receive a commodity such as a detergent or adiscount from the rate for a service of some kind.

Also, various providing method of value-added information have alreadybeen described in the above-mentioned embodiment with reference to FIG.13 to FIG. 17, but the present invention is not limited to this, and itis possible to use such providing methods in combination as deemedappropriate.

Note that the present invention can be realized not only as themeasurement system 110, the toilet apparatus 200 and the server 120alone but also as a vital data utilization system including themeasurement system 110, the server 120, the PC 130 and the like, and aprogram causing a computer to function a part of or all of theprocessing units included in the measurement system 110 and the server120. In addition, such a program can be widely distributed via arecording medium such as a CD-ROM or the like and a communication mediumsuch as the Internet.

Also, the above-mentioned program may cause a computer to execute a partof or all of the vital data utilization method of the present invention,cause a computer to control the machine operation units such as themeasurement unit, and cause the machine operation units to function inassociation with the computer.

Also, the recording medium of the present invention has a program forcausing a computer to execute a part of or all of the functions in apart of or all of the steps (or processes, operations, actions or thelike) of the vital data utilization method of the above-mentionedpresent invention. The recording medium can be read by a computer andallow the operations of the read program to be executed in concert withthe computer.

Note that “a part of steps (or processes, operations, actions or thelike)” of the present invention means one or several steps among thesesteps.

Also, “functions of steps (or processes, operations, actions or thelike)” of the present invention means a part of or all of the functionsof the steps.

Also, a use form of the program in the present invention may be the formthat is recorded in a computer-readable recording medium and functionsin concert with a computer.

Also, another use form of the program in the present invention may bethe form that is transmitted via a transmission medium, that is read bya computer and functions in concert with a computer.

Also, the data structures of the present invention include a database, adata format, a data table, a data list, a data type and the like.

Also, recording media include a ROM and the like, and communicationmedia include the Internet, light, a radio wave, a sound wave and thelike.

Also, the above-mentioned computer of the present invention is notlimited to hardware such as a CPU, and it may be the one that alsoincludes firmware, an OS, and further a peripheral apparatus.

Note that, as described up to this point, the structure of the presentinvention may be realized in a form of both software and hardware.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The measurement instrument in the present invention is useful forhousing equipment such as a toilet apparatus and a bed, and sanitaryapparatus such as a toilet apparatus that is set at a public facility.

Also, the receiving apparatus in the present invention is useful for apersonal computer, a PDA, a car navigation apparatus and a mobile phoneand the like that have a communication function.

1. A vital data utilization system comprising: a server; a receivingapparatus; and a plurality of measurement instruments, wherein saidserver, said receiving apparatus and said measurement instruments areconnected to each other via a communication network, each of saidmeasurement instruments includes: a vital data measurement unit operableto measure vital data of a subject; and a sending unit operable to send,to said server, the measured vital data, said server includes: areceiving unit operable to receive, from said plurality of measurementinstruments, a plurality of vital data, one of which being the vitaldata; a storage unit operable to hold each vital data in associationwith at least one of (i) measurement position information indicating aposition of said each measurement instrument and (ii) residenceinformation indicating a position of each subject's residence at whichsaid each measurement instrument is placed; a database making unitoperable to store the received plurality of vital data into said storageunit and operable to make a database; a value-added information makingunit operable to compute the respective vital data of a plurality ofsubjects stored in the database based on at least one of the (i)measurement position information and (ii) residence information, andoperable to make value-added information indicating a geographicaldistribution of the vital data; and a value-added information providingunit operable to provide said receiving apparatus with the madevalue-added information, and said receiving apparatus includes: anoutput unit operable to receive the value-added information provided bysaid value-added information providing unit, and operable to output, bypresenting, the value-added information.
 2. The vital data utilizationsystem according to claim 1, wherein said measurement instrumentsfurther includes a clock unit operable to detect measurement time atwhich the vital data is measured, said sending unit is operable to send,to said server, a set of information including the measured vital dataand further the measurement time, wherein, in said server, saidreceiving unit is operable to receive, from said plurality ofmeasurement instruments, a plurality of sets of information, saidstorage unit is operable to hold the plurality of sets of informationincluding the vital data and the measurement time in association with atleast one of the (i) measurement position information and (ii) residenceinformation, said database making unit is operable to store the receivedplurality of sets of information into said storage unit, and saidvalue-added information making unit is operable to compute the vitaldata of the plurality of subjects stored in the database in associationwith the measurement time and operable to make value-added informationindicating changes over time of the geographical distributions of thesubjects' vital data.
 3. The vital data utilization system according toclaim 1, wherein said vital data measurement unit is operable toquantitatively measure the subjects' vital data.
 4. The vital datautilization system according to claim 1, wherein said sending unit isoperable to further add, to respective sets of information, measurementinstrument identification information for identifying a correspondingmeasurement instrument and operable to send the respective sets ofinformation including the identification information to said server,said storage unit is operable to store at least one of the (i)measurement position information indicating the position of therespective measurement instruments and (ii) residence informationindicating the positions of the subjects' residence at which therespective measurement instruments are placed, and said value-addedinformation making unit is operable to read out, from said storage unit,at least one of the (i) measurement position information and (ii)residence information based on the received measurement instrumentidentification information, and operable to compute the respective vitaldata based on at least one of the read-out information.
 5. The vitaldata utilization system according to claim 1, wherein said sending unitis operable to further add, to respective sets of information, at leastone of the (i) measurement position information indicating the positionsof the respective measurement instruments and (ii) residence informationindicating the positions of the subjects' residence at which therespective measurement instruments are placed, and operable to send theresulting respective sets of information to said server, and saidvalue-added information making unit is operable to compute therespective vital data based on at least one of the (i) receivedmeasurement position information and (ii) residence information.
 6. Thevital data utilization system according to claim 1, wherein saiddatabase making unit is operable to update the database each time ofreceiving at least one new set of information, and said value-addedinformation making unit is operable to update the value-addedinformation based on the updated database.
 7. The vital data utilizationsystem according to claim 1, wherein said receiving apparatus is placedin at least one of a hospital, a public facility except a hospital andsubject's house.
 8. The vital data utilization system according to claim1, wherein said vital data measurement unit is operable to measure vitaldata that is an indicator of an infection.
 9. The vital data utilizationsystem according to claim 8, wherein the vital data which is anindicator of an infection is at least one of body temperature, bloodpressure, pulse, cardiograph, oxygen saturation in blood, acceleratedpulse wave velocity, the number of white blood cells, C-reactive proteinconcentration in blood (CRP), protein concentration in urine, glucoseconcentration in urine, amino acid concentration in urine and fecesviscosity.
 10. The vital data utilization system according to claim 9,wherein the protein in urine is at least one of albumin, globulin,hemoglobin and myoglobin.
 11. The vital data utilization systemaccording to claim 1, wherein said vital data measurement unit is placedat housing equipment in the subject's house.
 12. The vital datautilization system according to claim 11, wherein the housing equipmentis a toilet apparatus or a bed, and said vital data measurement unitincludes at least one of a thermometer, a blood-pressure meter, apulsimeter, an electrocardiograph and a meter of oxygen saturation inblood that are for measuring the vital data, and said vital datameasurement unit measures the vital data at the time when the subjectuses the toilet apparatus or the bed.
 13. The vital data utilizationsystem according to claim 11, wherein the housing equipment is a toiletapparatus, and said vital data measurement unit includes a urineanalyzer and measures the vital data at the time when the subject usesthe toilet apparatus.
 14. The vital data utilization system according toclaim 13, wherein the urine analyzer mixes urine of the subject and areagent including an antibody that specifically combines with ananalysis target component, measures turbidity of a resulting mixedsolution, and measures the analysis target component in the urine. 15.The vital data utilization system according to claim 1, wherein saidserver further includes a charging unit operable to calculate a chargefor value-added information provided to said receiving apparatus. 16.The vital data utilization system according to claim 15, wherein saidserver further includes an incentive calculation unit operable tocalculate an incentive to each subject.
 17. The vital data utilizationsystem according to claim 16, wherein said incentive calculation unit isoperable to add, to a charge calculated by said charging unit, a valueof the incentive to each subject.
 18. The vital data utilization systemaccording to claim 16, wherein said incentive calculation unit isoperable to calculate points to be exchanged for at least one of (i) aright to receive the value-added information, (ii) a right to receive adiscount from a rate of the value-added information, (iii) a right toreceive a free distribution of or a discount from a sale price of acommodity to be used by said vital data measurement unit, (iv) a rightto receive another service, and (v) a right to receive a freedistribution of or a discount from a sale price of another commodity.19. The vital data utilization system according to claim 1, wherein saidreceiving apparatus is a mobile type apparatus and further includes apresent position detection unit operable to detect a present position,and said output unit is operable to receive value-added informationindicating a geographical distribution of the vital data of the subjectswho are at the detected present position and a peripheral part of thedetected present position, and operable to output, by presenting, thevalue-added information.
 20. A server in a system in which said server,a receiving apparatus and measurement instruments are connected to eachother via a communication network, comprising: a receiving unit operableto receive, from a plurality of measurement instruments, a plurality ofsets of information including measured vital data and measurement time;a storage unit operable to hold the plurality of sets of information inassociation with at least one of (i) measurement position informationindicating a position of the each measurement instrument and (ii)residence information indicating a position of each subject's residenceat which the each measurement instrument is placed; a database makingunit operable to store the received plurality of sets of informationinto said storage unit and operable to make a database; a value-addedinformation making unit operable to compute the respective vital data ofa plurality of subjects stored in the database in association with themeasurement time, and operable to make value-added information having anadditional value indicating a geographical distribution of the vitaldata or changes over time of the geographical distributions based on atleast one of the measurement position information and the residenceinformation; and a value-added information providing unit operable toprovide the receiving apparatus with the made value-added information.21. The server according to claim 20, wherein said receiving unit isoperable to receive, from the respective measurement instruments, setsof information to which measurement instrument identificationinformation for identifying respectively corresponding measurementinstruments are further added, said storage unit is operable topreviously hold at least one of (i) measurement position informationindicating positions of the respective measurement instruments and (ii)residence information indicating positions of subjects' residences atwhich the respective measurement instruments are placed, and saidvalue-added information making unit is operable to read out, from saidstorage unit, at least one of the (i) measurement position informationand (ii) residence information based on the received measurementinstrument identification information, and operable to compute therespective vital data based on at least one of the read-out information.22. The server according to claim 20, wherein said receiving unit isoperable to receive, from the respective measurement instruments, thesets of information to which at least one of the (i) measurementposition information indicating the position of the each measurementinstrument and (ii) residence information indicating the position ofeach subject's residence is further added, and said value-addedinformation making unit is operable to compute the each vital data basedon at least one of the (i) received measurement instrument positioninformation and (ii) residence information.
 23. The server according toclaim 20, wherein said database making unit is operable to update thedatabase each time of receiving at least one new set of information, andsaid value-added information making unit is operable to update thevalue-added information based on the updated database.
 24. A vital datautilization method used for a system in which a server, a receivingapparatus, and a plurality of measurement instruments are connected toeach other via a communication network, said vital data utilizationmethod comprising: in the measurement instruments, measuring vital dataof a subject; detecting measurement time at which the vital data ismeasured; and sending, to the server, a set of information including themeasured vital data and the measurement time, in the server including astorage unit operable to hold a plurality of sets of information, one ofwhich being the set of information receiving, from the plurality ofmeasurement instruments, the plurality of sets of information, one ofwhich being the set of information; storing the received plurality ofsets of information into the storage unit in association with at leastone of (i) measurement position information indicating positions of therespective measurement instruments and (ii) residence informationindicating positions of subjects' residences at which the respectivemeasurement instruments are placed and making a database; makingvalue-added information indicating a geographical distribution of thevital data or changes over time of the geographical distributions basedon at least one of the (i) measurement position information and (ii)residence information included in the sets of information of a pluralityof subjects that are stored in the database; and providing the receivingapparatus with the made value-added information, and in the receivingapparatus, outputting the value-added information provided in saidproviding of the value-added information.
 25. A vital data utilizationmethod for a server in a system in which the server, a receivingapparatus, and a plurality of measurement instruments are connected toeach other via a communication network, the server further including astorage unit operable to hold sets of vital data, the vital datautilization method comprising: receiving, from the plurality ofmeasurement instruments, a plurality of sets of information includingmeasured vital data and measurement time; storing the received pluralityof sets of information into the storage unit in association with atleast one of (i) measurement position information indicating positionsof the respective measurement instruments and (ii) residence informationindicating positions of subjects' residences at which the respectivemeasurement instruments are placed and making a database; makingvalue-added information indicating a geographical distribution of thevital data or changes over time of the geographical distributions basedon at least one of the (i) measurement position information and (ii)residence information included in the sets of information of theplurality of subjects that are stored in the database; and providing thereceiving apparatus with the made value-added information.
 26. A programfor a server in a system in which the server, a receiving apparatus, anda plurality of measurement instruments are connected to each other via acommunication network, the server including a storage unit operable tohold plurality of sets of information, the program causing a computer toexecute: receiving, from the plurality of measurement instruments, theplurality of sets of information including measured vital data andmeasurement time; storing the received plurality of sets of informationinto the storage unit in association with at least one of (i)measurement position information indicating positions of the respectivemeasurement instruments and (ii) residence information indicatingpositions of subjects' residences at which the respective measurementinstruments are placed and making a database; making value-addedinformation indicating a geographical distribution of the vital data orchanges over time of the geographical distributions based on at leastone of the (i) measurement position information and (ii) residenceinformation included in the sets of information of a plurality ofsubjects that are stored in the database; and providing the receivingapparatus with the made value-added information.
 27. A computer-readablerecording medium on which a computer-executable program is recorded, theprogram causing a computer to execute: receiving, from a plurality ofmeasurement instruments, a plurality of sets of information includingmeasured vital data and measurement time; storing the received pluralityof sets of information into the storage unit in association with atleast one of (i) measurement position information indicating positionsof the respective measurement instruments and (ii) residence informationindicating positions of subjects' residences at which the respectivemeasurement instruments are placed and making a database; makingvalue-added information indicating a geographical distribution of thevital data or changes over time of the geographical distributions basedon at least one of the (i) measurement position information and (ii)residence information included in the sets of information of a pluralityof subjects that are stored in the database; and providing the receivingapparatus with the made value-added information.
 28. Data comprisinginformation specifying each predetermined geographical area and anaverage value of vital data of a plurality of subjects calculated foreach predetermined geographical area, the information and the averagevalue being associated with each other.
 29. A receiving apparatus in asystem in which a server, said receiving apparatus and a plurality ofmeasurement instruments are connected to each other via a communicationnetwork, said receiving apparatus comprising an output unit operable toreceive information provided by the server, and operable to output, bypresenting, the information, wherein, in the system, each of themeasurement instruments includes: a vital data measurement unit operableto measure vital data of a subject; a clock unit operable to detectmeasurement time at which the vital data is measured; and a sending unitoperable to send, to the server, a set of information including themeasured vital data and the measurement time, the server includes: areceiving unit operable to receive, from a plurality of measurementinstruments, a plurality of sets of information, one of which being theset of information; a storage unit operable to hold the plurality ofsets of information in association with at least one of (i) measurementposition information indicating positions of respective measurementinstruments and (ii) residence information indicating positions ofsubjects' residences at which the respective measurement instruments areplaced; a database making unit operable to store the received pluralityof sets of information into the storage unit and operable to make adatabase; a value-added information making unit operable to compute thevital data of a plurality of subjects stored in the database inassociation with the measurement time and operable to make value-addedinformation indicating a geographical distribution of the vital data orchanges over time of the geographical distributions; and a value-addedinformation providing unit operable to provide said receiving apparatuswith the made value-added information, wherein said output unit isoperable to receive the value-added information provided by saidvalue-added information providing unit, operable to output, bypresenting, the value-added information.
 30. The receiving apparatusaccording to claim 29, the receiving apparatus being a mobile typeapparatus and further comprising a present position detection unitoperable to detect a present position, wherein said output unit isoperable to receive value-added information indicating a geographicaldistribution of the vital data of the plurality of subjects who are atthe detected present position and a peripheral part of the detectedpresent position, and operable to output, by presenting, the value-addedinformation.